Toyota Ready for the Heat and Heights of Rally Mexico

6 March 2019

From the snow and ice of Sweden, Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team move to the heat and energy-sapping altitude of Mexico this week to contest the third round of the 2019 World Rally Championship.

Ott Tänak leads the drivers’ standings going into the event having posted a dominant performance to claim victory last time out. His team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Kris Meeke are both past winners of the event.

Team Principal Tommi Mäkinen has high hopes for success: “After our brilliant win in Sweden, the team are feeling very confident that we can also have a good rally in Mexico. It is always a touch event, but over the past year we have done a lot of work to make our car more reliable in these conditions, while also improving its performance. Our pre-event testing in Spain last week went well and we’re feeling ready.”

Tänak added: “As championship leaders, we will have to run first on the road on Friday. It won’t be easy, but we saw in Mexico last year that it’s possible to have a good result from this position, so let’s see how it goes.”

As well as usually being one of the hottest events on the WRC calendar, with ambient temperatures around 30°C, Rally Mexico is also the highest round of the season. The route peaks at 2,737m above sea level, where the thinner air reduces engine power by as much as 20 per cent.

The rally begins on Thursday evening with the spectacular stage through the streets and tunnels of Guanajuato. Another street stage runs next to the service park in Leon on Friday and Saturday, together with laps of the city’s race circuit. On Sunday the new Mesa Cueta stage features the first half of Friday’s El Chocolate test, while a second visit to Las Minas runs as the rally-ending Power Stage.

ENDS

Event pictures will be uploaded here:
URL: https://www.tgr-dam.com

Follow the team
Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/TOYOTAGAZOORacingWRC
Twitter : https://www.twitter.com/TGR_WRC (@TGR_WRC)
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/tgr_wrc/ (@TGR_WRC)

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCtALHup92q5xIFb7n9UXVg

Download this release as a PDF below

Toyota Ready for the Heat and Heights of Rally Mexico

Images

Images are copyright free for editorial purposes only

Media enquiries

Please click here to see the press contacts at Toyota (GB):

Show Press Contacts

For further information, please contact:

David Rogers

07825 280608 or by email at david.rogers@tgb.toyota.co.uk

General, alternative fuels and mobility media enquiries

David Crouch

07909 900 085 or by email at david.crouch@tgb.toyota.co.uk

General, fleet and motorsport media enquiries

Please understand that our press team only deal with enquiries from media representatives.

Toyota and Lexus Press Releases

To receive all Toyota and Lexus press information, please select the box below.


To update your profile type in your email address and press return. MailChimp will then send you an email confirming your details and you will then have the opportunity of amending your details.

* indicates required
All Toyota/Lexus News